Method and system for loading and reloading portable consumer devices

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed. The method includes providing tender at a point of service terminal operated by a load agent, the point of service terminal being in operative communication with a payment processing network. The point of service terminal thereafter sends a transaction authorization request to an issuer of a portable consumer device to be used by a user. The issuer then authorizes or does not authorize the transaction authorization request. If the transaction authorization request is approved, the portable consumer device is either initially loaded or reloaded with an amount associated with the tender provided at the point of service terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/748,141, filedon Dec. 6, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prepaid card products have achieved a critical level of industry,marketplace and consumer acceptance and usage. They can now beconsidered a stand-alone payment category. The growth of these cards andrelated transaction volumes has been accelerated by the emergence of newparticipants (issuers and processors). The new participants usenon-standard platforms, applications, devices and connectivityprotocols. Despite the increased number of participants, thenon-standard implementations of such prepaid card systems by the variousnew participants have actually limited the broad-based usage(activation, load and settlement) of such prepaid card products.

One commonly used prepaid card is the Starbucks™ card. The Starbucks™card can be loaded or reloaded with value, but only in Starbucks™stores. The Starbucks™ prepaid card cannot be used in other stores suchas grocery stores.

While prepaid cards such as these are useful, a number of improvementscan be made. For example, some have expressed concerns about possiblefraudulent use and possible money laundering. Since prepaid cards likethe Starbucks™ type cards are not tied to their owners and are likecash, it is difficult to monitor their usage. Also, like cash, if aStarbucks™ type prepaid card is lost, the finder of the card can simplyuse the card. The true card owner cannot retrieve the lost value on thecard. Lastly, with respect to the Starbucks™ type of prepaid card, onecannot go to another merchant such as McDonald's™ to load or reload theprepaid card with value. Prepaid cards of this type can only be used bythe companies that issue them.

Another type of conventional prepaid card can be used at differentmerchants, and is initially purchased at a store. Money is paid to thestore clerk and the consumer takes the card home. To load the card, theconsumer calls a phone number to load the card and to link the loadtransaction to the card. The money is moved a few days (typically 2-5days) later to the issuer of the card and the card is ready for use.

There are also a number of drawbacks associated with this type oftransaction. First, the clearing and settlement process takes a fairlysignificant amount of time. As noted above, the clearing and settlementprocess can take between 2 and 5 days, which is quite long. Second, theactivation process for the prepaid card is quite complex. Multiple stepsare needed just to activate the card. Third, for each merchant thatwants to participate in the system, a separate data feed needs to beestablished between the merchant and the system. This is cumbersome andcostly and limits participation in the system.

It would be desirable to provide for methods and systems that useprepaid portable consumer devices, such as prepaid cards. The methodsand systems would increase the number of participating merchants,issuers, acquirers, and consumers. The methods and systems would alsopreferably use a payment processing network that uses standardizedmethods and rules. The methods and systems may also allow an owner of aprepaid card to potentially regain the value associated with a lostcard, and to allow for the monitoring of prepaid card transactions.

Embodiments of the invention address the above problems, and otherproblems, individually and collectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems thatallow for the initial loading and/or reloading of portable consumerdevices with value, using a payment processing network that isconfigured to process credit and debit card transactions.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising:providing tender at a point of service terminal operated by a loadagent, the point of service terminal being in operative communicationwith a payment processing network, wherein the point of service terminalthereafter sends a transaction authorization request to an issuer of aportable consumer device to be used by a user and wherein the issuerthereafter authorizes or does not authorize the transactionauthorization request; receiving at the point of service terminal, anindication that the transaction authorization request has been approvedor not approved; and if the transaction authorization request has beenapproved, the portable consumer device is either initially loaded orreloaded with an amount associated with the tender provided at the pointof service terminal.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising:sending a transaction authorization request to an issuer of a portableconsumer device to be used by a user from a point of service terminaloperated by a load agent after receiving tender from a user, wherein theissuer thereafter authorizes or does not authorize the transactionauthorization request, and wherein the point of service terminal is inoperative communication with a payment processing network; receiving atthe point of service terminal, an indication that the transactionauthorization request has been approved or not approved; and if thetransaction authorization request has been approved, the portableconsumer device is either initially loaded or reloaded with an amountassociated with the tender provided at the point of service terminal.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising:receiving a transaction authorization request associated with a portableconsumer device to be used by a user from a point of service terminaloperated by a load agent after receiving tender from the user, whereinan issuer of the portable consumer device thereafter authorizes or doesnot authorize the transaction authorization request, and wherein thepoint of service terminal is in operative communication with a paymentprocessing network; and sending a transaction response message to thepoint of service terminal, wherein the transaction response messageindicates whether or not the transaction authorization request isapproved or not approved.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising:receiving tender associated with a portable consumer device at a pointof service; and at the point of service, loading or reloading theportable consumer device with an amount associated with the presentedtender using a payment processing network, the payment processingnetwork being in communication with an issuer of the portable consumerdevice.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system comprising:a portable consumer device; a point of service terminal, the portableconsumer device adapted to interface with the point of service terminal;a payment processing network in communication with the plurality ofpoint of service terminals; and a server computer residing in or incommunication with the payment processing network, wherein the servercomputer is configured to load or reload the portable consumer devicewith an amount associated with a tender presented by a user of theportable consumer device, after responding to an authorization requestto load or reload the portable consumer device.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising:receiving amounts associated with aggregated tenders associated withloading or reloading portable consumer devices at various load agents;and participating in clearing and settlement process, wherein in theclearing and settlement process, amounts owed to the issuers of theportable consumer devices are sent to the issuers.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating some steps in an initial loadingprocess according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating some steps in a reload processaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention enable issuers of prepaid card programs tosell, activate, load and/or re-load value on a portable consumer deviceat various merchant and agent locations. An existing, broad basedpayment processing system can be used to efficiently authorize andsettle such prepaid card transactions. By using an existing paymentprocessing system that is already in communication with various POS(point of service) terminals, consumers can load or reload theirportable consumer devices with value at merchant locations that canprocess ordinary credit or debit card transactions.

As a point of quantification, the very largest of today's prepaid cardissuers has at the very most 100,000 sales and load locations. By usingan existing payment processing network (e.g., VisaNet) and existing POSterminals, the number of potential load and load agents would number inthe millions. Consumers would therefore have much greater access to loadand load agents, thereby guaranteeing increased usage.

As suggested in the Background of the Invention section above,conventional prepaid card programs typically have specific connectivityrequirements as well as proprietary processing and settlement terms. Incomparison, embodiments of the invention can use standardizedconnectivity and message formats for supporting prepaid card purchasetransactions. The connectivity and message formats that are used can beof the type that are used in typical commercial credit or debit cardtransactions. By using standardized connectivity and message formats, acomplete and seamless sale, load and transaction settlement capabilitycan be achieved. In addition, because an existing payment processingnetwork can be used, issuer, acquirer and agent start-up, and ongoingoperating costs are reduced.

As will be apparent from the discussion below, embodiments of theinvention have a number of other advantages. For example, becauseembodiments of the invention use a pre-existing payment processingnetwork, the issuer is provided with a “guarantee” of good funds. Also,by using an existing payment processing network, same-day settlement forreload purchases is possible. In comparison, as noted above, aconventional prepaid card program may have a 2 to 5 day settlementwindow. Further, the real time aspect of embodiments of the inventionprovides the consumer with immediate access to funds. In comparison,many alternative issuer/processor payment processing networks require auser to complete several activation steps before using a prepaid card.The user's ability to use the card is therefore delayed and it can besome time from the actual time of purchase.

Furthermore, by using a pre-existing payment processing network,participation in the systems and methods according to embodiments of theinvention is completely voluntary. Issuers can also control and specifythe prepaid card products that can be purchased, loaded and re-loaded byconsumers at specific load locations (merchants and agents). Acquirerscan establish/specify participating load locations and negotiateappropriate transaction terms and agreements.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Othersystems according to embodiments of the invention may include fewer ormore components than are specifically shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a user 10, a load agent 20, an acquirer 30, a paymentprocessing network 40, and an issuer 42. The acquirer 30 and issuer 42can communicate through the payment processing network 40. The loadagent 20 includes at least one point of service (POS) terminal 24 andcan communicate with the acquirer 30, the payment processing network 40,and the issuer 42.

The user 10 may also be a consumer of goods and/or services. The user 10may be associated with (e.g., use) a portable consumer device 14 such asa prepaid card.

Although prepaid cards are discussed in detail, embodiments of theinvention may encompass more than just prepaid cards. Embodiments of theinvention may include any suitable portable consumer device. Forexample, the portable consumer devices can be hand-held and compact sothat they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g.,pocket-sized). Examples of portable consumer devices may includecellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, paymentcards, payroll cards, security cards, access cards, smart media,transponders, and the like. The portable consumer devices may interfacewith point of service (POS) terminals using any suitable mechanismincluding any suitable electrical, magnetic, or optical interfacingsystem. For example, a contactless system such as an RF (radiofrequency) device recognition system or contact system such as amagnetic stripe may be used to interface with a POS terminal containinga contactless reader or a magnetic stripe reader, respectively.

The portable consumer device 14 may also include a volatile ornon-volatile memory to store information such as the cardholder'sprimary account (PAN) number, name, and other information. Load valuedata may also be stored in the memory in the portable consumer device14. Alternatively or additionally, load value data may be stored in adatabase 48 associated with the issuer 42 along with the account numberassociated with the portable consumer device 14. Changing monetaryvalues associated with the portable consumer device 14 may be retainedsolely in the database 48 so that the portable consumer device 14 couldsimply store basic information including the account number associatedwith the portable consumer device 14.

The load agent 20 can be one of many load agents in a system. Forexample, the load agent 20 may be a merchant with one or multiple POSterminals. Exemplary load agents can include drugstores, grocery stores,gas stations, hardware stores, etc. Unlike conventional prepaid cardload systems, in embodiments of the invention, the load agents caninclude businesses that do not have any affiliation with each other, andmay simply be any number of business that have normal POS terminals thatare configured to process credit card transactions.

The load agent 20 may also have any suitable number and/or type of POSterminals. In FIG. 1, one POS terminal 24 is shown for simplicity ofillustration. Suitable POS terminals include stand-alone kiosks,check-out lanes or check-out counters at merchants, etc. Suitable POSterminals may include terminals that are configured to process normalcredit or debit card transactions. The POS terminals may have optical,electrical, or magnetic readers that can read data from portableconsumer devices such as prepaid cards.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system may include an acquirer 30 and an issuer42. The acquirer 30 may be a bank that is associated with the load agent20. It may have one or more acquirer deposit accounts 32. The issuer 42may have a server computer 44, as well as a database 48, and at leastone issuer deposit account 46.

The server computer 44 is typically a powerful computer or cluster ofcomputers. For example, the server computer can be a large mainframe, aminicomputer cluster, or a group of servers functioning as a unit. Inone example, the server computer may be a database server coupled to aweb server.

As used herein, an “acquirer” is typically a business entity, e.g., acommercial bank that has a business relationship with a particularmerchant. An “issuer” is typically a business entity (e.g., a bank)which issues a portable consumer device such as a credit or debit cardto a consumer. Some entities can perform both issuer and acquirerfunctions. Embodiments of the invention encompass such single entityissuer-acquirers. Additional details about various elements includingissuers, acquirers, etc. can be found in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/266,766, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

The payment processing network 40 may comprise or use a paymentprocessing network such as VisaNet™. The payment processing network 40and any communication network that communicates with the paymentprocessing network 40 may use any other suitable wired or wirelessnetwork, including the Internet. The payment processing network 40 maybe adapted to ordinary process debit or credit card transactions, inaddition to processing transactions associated with the loading and/orreloading of value on portable consumer devices.

For simplicity of illustration, one user 10, one load agent 20, onebranch terminal 24, one acquirer 30, and one issuer 42 are shown.However, it is understood that in embodiments of the invention, therecan be multiple users, load agents, branch terminals, issuers, as wellas server computers, deposit accounts, etc.

FIG. 2 shows a high level flowchart of a method of initially loading aprepaid card according to an embodiment of the invention. Other methodsaccording to other embodiments of the invention can have more or fewersteps. Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 2, a user 10 can first provide(e.g., present) tender (e.g., cash, check, or card) to a load agent 20(step 102). The load agent 20 can be a merchant who sells goods. Thepresented tender can be used to initiate an initial load of a portableconsumer device 14. The load agent 20 may optionally charge a fee forthe load agent's service.

After receiving the tender, the load agent 20 processes the tenderedpayment and swipes/scans the portable consumer device 14 at the POSterminal 24 and initiates a transaction authorization request to theload agent's acquirer 30 (step 104). The transaction authorizationrequest may be an initial load authorization request (e.g., to ask forauthorization to effect an initial load of the portable consumer device14). After receiving the transaction authorization request, the acquirer30, which is typically a bank associated with the load agent 20, routesthe transaction authorization request to the payment processing network40. The payment processing network 40 then routes the transactionauthorization request to the issuer 42 for approval.

The transaction authorization request can include a specific code in a“processing code, transaction type” data field that indicates that thetransaction being conducted is a “prepaid load” transaction, instead ofa normal debit or a credit card transaction. The transactionauthorization request can have other information including networkidentification codes, a primary account number, a transaction amount, anacquirer code, an issuer code, etc.

After the issuer receives the transaction authorization request, theissuer 42 then takes action to verify the card account, approve ordecline the request, and increment the value associated with theportable consumer device 14 (step 106). The user's card file, which maybe stored in a database 48, may be updated as appropriate. Some or allof this processing may be performed by a server computer 44 operated byand/or located at the issuer 42. The server computer 44 stores recordsof the transaction may be stored in the database 48. Alternatively oradditionally, one or more server computers in or associated with thepayment processing network 40 or the acquirer 30 could be used to storetransaction data.

The issuer 42 then sends a response message (e.g., a load responsemessage) to the payment processing network 40. The payment processingnetwork 40 then forwards the response message to the acquirer 30, andthe acquirer 30 forwards the load response message to the load agent 20.The load agent POS terminal 24 then receives the response message.

If the transaction is approved, then the load agent 20 provides theportable consumer device 14 to the user 10 (step 110). The portableconsumer device 14 is updated with an initial load amount associatedwith the tender initially provided by the user 10. The actual update mayoccur within a memory within the portable consumer device 14 and/or in adatabase 48 at the issuer 42, or some other entity. A receipt may beprovided to the user 10 and the receipt may show an updated card balanceand other transaction details. The user 10 may then use the portableconsumer device 14 immediately after loading the portable consumerdevice 14 with value.

If the transaction is not approved, then a display may show, or areceipt may be printed by the POS terminal indicating that thetransaction request was denied (step 108).

Thus, the POS terminal 24 is in operative communication with the paymentprocessing network 40, and sends a transaction authorization request toan issuer 42 of the portable consumer device 14 to be used by a user 10.The issuer 42 thereafter authorizes or does not authorize thetransaction authorization request. The transaction authorization requestmay be an initial load request or a reload request (as explained below).A response message is received at the POS terminal 24, and indicateswhether or not the transaction authorization request has been approvedor not approved. If the transaction authorization request has beenapproved, the portable consumer device 14 is loaded with an initial loadamount (or reloaded amount) associated with the tender provided at thepoint of service.

An amount associated with the tender can include an amount equal to thetendered amount, or an amount that is related to the tendered amount.For example, in the latter case, the load agent may obtain a fee (e.g.,2% of the tendered amount) for conducting the transaction and theinitially loaded or reloaded amount may be 98% (or less) of the tenderedamount, optionally minus any additional fees required by the acquirer30, issuer 42, or operator of the payment processing network 40 toconduct the transaction. The amount associated with the tender may beadded to any existing amounts associated with the portable consumerdevice 14.

FIG. 3 shows a high level flowchart of a method of reloading a portableconsumer device 14 according to an embodiment of the invention. Othermethods according to other embodiments of the invention can have more orfewer steps. Referring to both FIGS. 1 and 3, a consumer can firstpresent tender (e.g., cash, check, or card) and a portable consumerdevice 14 to a load agent 20 (step 202). The presented tender can thenbe used to reload portable consumer device 14 with value.

After receiving the tender, the load agent 20 processes the tenderedpayment and swipes/scans the portable consumer device 14 at the POSterminal 24 and initiates a transaction authorization request to theload agent's acquirer 30 (step 204). The transaction authorizationrequest may be a reload authorization request (e.g., to ask forauthorization to reload the user's portable consumer device 14). Afterreceiving the transaction authorization request, the acquirer 30 routesthe transaction authorization request to the payment processing network40. The payment processing network 40 then routes the transactionauthorization request to the issuer 42.

The issuer 42 then takes action to verify the card account, approve ordecline the request, increment card value and update the user's cardfile as appropriate (step 206). Some or all of this processing may beperformed by a server computer 44 operated by and/or located at theissuer 42, and records of the transaction may be stored in the database48.

The issuer 42 then sends a reload response message to the paymentprocessing network 40. The payment processing network 40 then forwardsthe reload response message to the acquirer 30, and the acquirer 30forwards the response message to the load agent 20. The load agent POSterminal 24 receives the response message.

If the transaction is approved, then the load agent 20 provides theportable consumer device 14 to the user 10 (step 210). The portableconsumer device 14 is updated with an additional amount of valueassociated with the tender provided by the user 10. The update may occurin a memory in the portable consumer device 14, and/or in a database 48associated with the issuer 42, or some other entity. A receipt may beprovided to the user 10 and the receipt may show an updated card balanceand other transaction details (step 212).

If the transaction is not approved, then a display may show, or areceipt may be printed by the POS terminal indicating that thetransaction request was denied (step 208).

After obtaining the portable consumer device 14 with an initially loadedor reloaded value, the user 10 may use the portable consumer device 14at any suitable merchant that is in communication with the paymentprocessing network 40. The new merchant, could be, but does not have tobe, the same load agent 20. The newly loaded or reloaded portableconsumer device can be used immediately after the portable consumerdevice 14 is loaded or reloaded with value.

After the user 10 tenders funds and after the above-noted transactionsare authorized, a settlement and interchange process is performed.Referring to FIG. 1, the load agent 20 makes funds available to theacquirer 30. The amount available includes the total of amountsassociated with approved load transactions. Approved load transactionsinclude initial loads and reloads. Thus, tenders from various consumersare aggregated, and an amount associated with the aggregated tenders issent to an acquirer 30. The acquirer 30 thereafter participates in aclearing and settlement process with the payment processing network andvarious issuers. During the clearing and settlement process, net amountsowed between the various issuers and acquirers in communication with thepayment process network 40 are settled by the payment processing network40.

Then, the payment processing network 40 effects net settlements with theacquirer 30, and debits the acquirer 30 for an amount due to the issuer42 for approved load transactions, and credits the acquirer 30 forinterchange. The acquirer's deposit account 32 is updated accordingly.The payment processing network 40 also effects net settlement with theissuer 42, and credits the issuer 42 for the amount of approved loadtransactions, and debits the issuer for interchange.

The acquirer 30 can maintain a file of previously approved loadtransactions. The payment processing network 40 provides a file to theacquirer 30 of all transactions that have been settled by the paymentprocessing network 40. The issuer's deposit account 46 is then updatedaccordingly. The payment processing network 40 sorts all of thesettlement records and routes the transactions to the appropriateissuer(s), and the issuer 42 maintains a file of previously approvedload transactions.

In the above example, funds originate from the user 10, and are thentransferred to the load agent 20, acquirer 30, and then to the issuer42. The transfer of funds is different than what might occur in a normalcredit card transaction. In a normal credit card transaction, funds aretransferred from the issuer 42, acquirer 30, and then to the merchantwho may have sold goods to a user.

Advantageously, in embodiments of the invention, the initial load andre-load transaction authorization process, and the transactionsettlement and interchange process can occur within one day. This is amuch shorter timeframe than the 2-5 days provided by conventionalprepaid card systems.

Embodiments of the invention provide a number of other advantages. Forexample, in embodiments of the invention, a user may load or reload aportable consumer device with value at any merchant that is incommunication with a payment processing network that is adapted toprocess normal credit or debit card transactions. Since special networkfeeds need not be supplied to load agents to participate, many merchantscan participate as load agents. This makes the system convenient for theuser, since the user has more potential load agents that can load theuser's portable consumer device with value.

Also, as noted above, in embodiments of the invention, an authorizationprocess is performed before a card is reloaded with value. This is doneeven though the user is presenting tender to the reload agent. As aresult, the issuer of the portable consumer device can keep track of theuser's transactions. This may be helpful if the user would like summaryspending reports and/or to help identify potential fraud or moneylaundering if an abnormal number or amount of loads or reloads isoccurring. In addition, if the portable consumer device is lost by theuser, the user may notify the issuer that the portable consumer deviceis lost. Any subsequent transaction authorization requests associatedwith the lost portable consumer device can be denied, thereby preventingfraud and preventing the loss of value to the user.

Embodiments of the invention are also suitable for use with payrollcards. A payroll card is one type of portable consumer device. With apayroll card, a user's employer can put the user's payment amount foremployment on a payroll card, instead of issuing a paycheck. Sinceamounts can be added or subtracted in the payroll card in embodiments ofthe invention, embodiments of the invention are particularly useful withpayroll cards.

It is not intuitive to provide for an authorization process when loadingor reloading a portable consumer device with value, since the user ispresenting verified tender (e.g., cash) to the load agent and, intheory, there should be nothing to verify. However, as noted above, itis desirable to have an authorization process to prevent or minimizefraud and to provide some means for tracking the use of prepaid portableconsumer devices.

The software components or functions described in this application, maybe implemented as software code to be executed by one or more processorsusing any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ orPerl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. Thesoftware code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands ona computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a readonly memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppydisk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readablemedium may also reside on or within a single computational apparatus,and may be present on or within different computational apparatuseswithin a system or network.

The present invention can be implemented in the form of control logic insoftware or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic may bestored in an information storage medium as a plurality of instructionsadapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set ofsteps disclosed in embodiment of the present invention. Based on thedisclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement thepresent invention.

Any recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description,but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claimsalong with their full scope or equivalents.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

1. A method comprising: providing tender at a point of service terminaloperated by a load agent, the point of service terminal being inoperative communication with a payment processing network, wherein thepoint of service terminal thereafter sends a transaction authorizationrequest to an issuer of a portable consumer device to be used by a userand wherein the issuer thereafter authorizes or does not authorize thetransaction authorization request; receiving at the point of serviceterminal, an indication that the transaction authorization request hasbeen approved or not approved; and if the transaction authorizationrequest has been approved, the portable consumer device is eitherinitially loaded or reloaded with an amount associated with the tenderprovided at the point of service terminal.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the transaction authorization request is an initial loadauthorization request.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the transactionauthorization request is a reload authorization request.
 4. The methodof claim 1 wherein the load agent is one of a plurality of load agentsoperating various point of service terminals, wherein the point ofservice terminals are in operative communication with the paymentprocessing network.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the transactionauthorization request is a reload authorization request.
 6. The methodof claim 4 wherein the portable consumer device is a prepaid card, andwherein the payment processing network is adapted to process debit orcredit card transactions.
 7. A method comprising: sending a transactionauthorization request to an issuer of a portable consumer device to beused by a user from a point of service terminal operated by a load agentafter receiving tender from a user, wherein the issuer thereafterauthorizes or does not authorize the transaction authorization request,and wherein the point of service terminal is in operative communicationwith a payment processing network; receiving at the point of serviceterminal, an indication that the transaction authorization request hasbeen approved or not approved; and if the transaction authorizationrequest has been approved, the portable consumer device is eitherinitially loaded or reloaded with an amount associated with the tenderprovided at the point of service terminal.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein the transaction authorization request is an initial loadauthorization request or a reload authorization request.
 9. The methodof claim 7 wherein the transaction authorization request is a reloadauthorization request.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the load agentis one of a plurality of load agents operating point of serviceterminals, wherein the point of service terminals are in operativecommunication with the payment processing network, and wherein thepayment processing network is adapted to process debit or credit cardtransactions.
 11. A computer readable medium comprising instructions forperforming the method of claim 7, wherein the instructions areexecutable by a processor.
 12. A method comprising: receiving atransaction authorization request associated with a portable consumerdevice to be used by a user from a point of service terminal operated bya load agent after receiving tender from the user, wherein an issuer ofthe portable consumer device thereafter authorizes or does not authorizethe transaction authorization request, and wherein the point of serviceterminal is in operative communication with a payment processingnetwork; and sending a transaction response message to the point ofservice terminal, wherein the transaction response message indicateswhether or not the transaction authorization request is approved or notapproved.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the transactionauthorization request is an initial load authorization request or areload authorization request.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein theload agent is one of a plurality of load agents operating point ofservice terminals, wherein the point of service terminals are inoperative communication with the payment processing network, wherein thepayment processing network is adapted to process debit or credit cardtransactions.
 15. A computer readable medium comprising instructions forperforming the method of claim 12, wherein the instructions areexecutable by a processor.
 16. A server comprising the computer readablemedium of claim
 15. 17. A method comprising: receiving tender associatedwith a portable consumer device at a point of service; and at the pointof service, loading or reloading the portable consumer device with anamount associated with the presented tender using a payment processingnetwork, the payment processing network being adapted to process debitor credit card transactions, the payment processing network being incommunication with an issuer of the portable consumer device.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising: aggregating tenders from variousconsumers; and sending an amount associated with the aggregated tendersto an acquirer related to a load agent receiving the tenders, whereinthe acquirer thereafter participates in a clearing and settlementprocess.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the portable consumer deviceis a prepaid card.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the portableconsumer device is a payroll card.
 21. A system comprising: a portableconsumer device; a point of service terminal, the portable consumerdevice adapted to interface with the point of service terminal; apayment processing network in communication with the plurality of pointof service terminals; and a server computer residing in or incommunication with the payment processing network, wherein the servercomputer is configured to load or reload the portable consumer devicewith an amount associated with a tender presented by a user of theportable consumer device, after responding to an authorization requestto load or reload the portable consumer device.
 22. The system of claim21 wherein the portable consumer device is a prepaid card or a payrollcard.
 23. A method comprising: receiving amounts associated withaggregated tenders associated with loading or reloading portableconsumer devices at various load agents; and participating in clearingand settlement process, wherein in the clearing and settlement process,amounts owed to the issuers of the portable consumer devices are sent tothe issuers.